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LA VENUS 
DE LA HABANA 



BY 



EARL LEO BROWNSON 




BOSTON 

RICHARD G. BADGER 

The Gorham Press 

MCMXVI 



COPYKIGHT, 1916, BY EARL L. BROWNSON 



All Rights Reserved 



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DEC 14 1918 

The Gorham Press, Boston, U. S. A. 



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CONTENTS 
Proem 



Canto i 
The First Meeting 9 

Canto 2 
The Masquerade 21 

Canto 3 
The Tryst 33 

Canto 4 
His Awakening 45 

Canto 5 
Kidnapped 63 



LA VENUS DE LA HABANA 



PROEM 

Straightforward facts are often stranger than 
The works of fiction, that our bookmen print, 

But if 50U take the pains to call them facts, 
That they are not, your readers sometimes hint. 

The story I am going to relate 

Is facts and fiction interspersed to keep 

My inspiration up to proper pitch 

So that the Muse may not fall off to sleep. 

And if you find her dozing, or too dull, 
Just turn the pages till the story penned 

May be in words to please your tired eye. 

For you will find them, surely, in "The End." 

A hero and a heroine are what 

An author needs to make a story start 

And keep him happy in his scribbling task; 
And, then, there should be less of head than heart. 

I have a hero and a heroine — 

The time, the place, and plenty to relate; 
But here an obstacle presents itself: 

They are not dead, therefore, I hesitate. 

7 



La Venus de la Habana 



Our hero must be designated — "He." 
For reasons that are very pertinent: 

He does not like too free use of his name — 
What better reason could a bard invent? 

Our heroine I'll venture to call — "She." 

To use her real name would be stooping low; 

And I don't want to be too personal, 

For He and She may read this tale, you know. 

And after all — what is there in a name? 

A rose would be as sweet by any other, 
In fact, as sweet without a name at all : 

This being true, with names I will not bother. 

And further I would warn that you will find 
The serious and flippant side by side, 

And much that's neither one nor yet the other. 
But in between and with the two allied. 

I only scribble to amuse myself. 

And I am rather easy to amuse — 
As you will learn by reading on a bit — 

Don't think I'll blame you if you don't enthuse. 

Such as it is, this tale I dedicate 

To you, dear reader, (if I may suppose 

There will be any other than myself) — 

My wife will read — that's so — Here goes : 

8 



La Venus de la Habana 



CANTO I 



THE FIRST MEETING 



The dinner-hour had run its course, and He, 
A stranger in the city and alone, 

Inquired where to while an hour away: 
I told him to go to the Male con. 

To many others I have said : "Go to " 



But not to while an hour away, you'll guess; 
Yet none of them went half so near as He, 
Though not through fault of mine, I must confess. 

He lit a good Habana — gave me one, 

And, thanking me, adown the Prado strolled; 

And then and there began this little tale, 

And, with your lief, its length I will unfold. 

It was an ideal night, and who has seen 
A night in Cuba, in the wintertime, 

Knows what that means : — the moon was at its full, 
And breezes cool swept from the Northern clime. 

9 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



As down the tree-lined way He slowly walked, 
That mystic spell, the tropic night distills. 

Began to creep upon him stealthily, 

And swept his senses with ecstatic thrills. 

And vague within him whispering voices spake 
Of strange adventures that w^ould soon befall; 

And dream-like visions passed before his eyes. 
And airy forms led on with beck and call. 

Palatial mansions rose on either side. 

With balconies bedecked with women fair, • 

So diff'rent from the women of the North, 
That He, anon, stopped smilingly to stare. 

At twelve, a Cuban girl is quite a beaut)' ; 

At twenty, she is at her very best; 
At thirty, she begins to pale and wrinkle; 

At forty. Time has put her to the test; 

And she is old and fat and very doty, 

And dreams of days when beaux around her 
flocked : — 

If this had all been told our amorous hero, 
His amour would have been severely shocked : 

But He knew nothing of it — what a pity — 
It might have made a difference to him 

And turned his thoughts to where less danger lay 
And cleared some fancies that were vague and dim. 

The architecture, too, was different: — 

All soft, warm tints and colors, finely blended, 
lO 



The First Meeting 



With here and there a glimpse of red tiled roof, 
And, then, the blue sea, where the Prado ended. 

'Twas all so real, and yet, to him, unreal: 
He walked as one who treads on empty air — 

Elation lifted him above dull earth 

And held him, in delightful dalliance, there 

To view this picture from Arabian Nights — 
Or vision city, builded up of dreams. 

With streets a-blending into sea and sky, 

And turrets, vague, set in the pale moon-beams. 

Portals, with columns huge, like those that Samson, 
With strength regained, pulled down upon his 
foes — 

Fagades of pure Doric, and the Modern, 
In varied styles, in mJsty grandeur rose. 

Wide-open doors, revealing inner splendors, 
Behind the grill-work fine, yet like a prison ; 

And Patios where fountains splashed and flowers 
Grew all about in tropical profusion. 

Fine marbles, from Sienna and Carrara, 

For steps and floors and balustrades and walls; 

Old polished brasses, bronzes, dark and hoary, 
And paintings, rare, arranged along the halls. 

Each house revealed to his delighted eye 
The wealth and station, as an open book. 

Of those within, for each its best reveals 
With open pride, to all who care to look. 
II 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



He wondered what the huge, square building was — 
The last upon the right — as others will 

Until its massive bulk is torn away, 
And it shall but a page in history fill. 

If He had paused to look a little closer, 

He would have seen the name above the door: — 

"Car eel" — which, Englished, means a jail or prison; 
But no such prison had He seen before. 

More like a palace, in its lines and finish, 
Than what it was, to him it seemed to be. 

Two sides faced thoroughfares of studied beauty, 
And one looked, unobstructed, to the sea. 

It also is the place of execution: 

The garrote — a relic of old Spain — 
Is here employed to choke off the gullet — 

I think electrocution more humane: 

That is, if we must execute a brother — 
I'd never sentence one to such a fate — 

I'd keep him all his days on bread and water, 
And let him think about his future state. 

To cast him out into eternity. 

Before his time, though fair be the intent, 
Is adding crime to crime, some will agree: — 

Let sinners live, they, sometime, may repent. 

12 



The First Meeting 



The Yankee hand had changed the Malecon, 
From dumping-ground, into a well kept park — 

The scene of nightly merry-making throngs — 
A choice place for airing or a lark. 

And throngs from every walk in life are there 
From early eve till late into the night, 

And each and all seem strangers to dull care, 
And everywhere is laughter, gay and light. 

More cosmopolitan a throng than here, 

Might one search long and travel far to find: — 

The Yankee, Britain, Teuton, Latin — all 

In festive groups, the whole in one combined. 

The beardless youth beside his novta. 
Her mother trailing closely at their heels, 

(A thing our youths would quickly frown upon) 
The courting custom of the land reveals. 

He may not ever be with her alone, 

And never knows the clasp of arms, the kiss 

Of love returned, through all their courting days — 
All is reserved for Hymen's day of bliss. 

A fragment of a wall, beside the walk, 

With wreaths and flowers piled against its base, 
Was something so unusual that He stopped 

To learn its meaning in that festive place. 

13 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



A passer-by informed him that 'twas there 
Some Cuban students, enemies of Spain, 

Without a trial or hearing for their lives, 
Condemned as traitors, ruthlessly were slain. 

And now, each year, with pride, the Cubans pay 
Their tribute to the mem'ry of these dead, 

And number them among the martyred throng 
Whose blood was in the name of freedom shed. 

He moved away — a shudder through him ran — 
It was a tragic tale, and He was not 

In search of sad things — pleasure was his bent; 
And soon this tale of murder was forgot. 

The new hotel — bohemian Miramar — 

Was opened wide to catch the evening trade 

That slakes its thirst, according to its taste. 
From champagne down the line to lemonade. 

The band-stand rose, amidst the circling throng, 
A classic gem, the work of Yankee hand ; 

And in it sat, in all their Latin pride, 
Tomas's famous military band. 

They played a danzon — music strange to him — 
With kettle-drums the dominating part, 

Like tom-toms in some heathen sacred rite — 
As weird, yet softened by Tomas's art. 

14 



The First Meeting 



The sea-drive thronged with pleasure-seeking rich, 

In carriages as fine as one may see 
In any land: and belles, voluptuous, 

With smiling faces, lolled by languidly. 

Half ignorant are they of their great charm, 
That is enhanced by jugging of the fan, 

And yet, their greatest aim in life is to, 
Above all else, attract the eye of man. 

He stood beside the sea-wall, where the waves, 
With lisping murmurs, kist the coral shore, 

And gazed across at Moro, dark and grim. 
The same as thousands oft had done before: 

But He possessed the poet's finer sense 
That sees beyond and into things sublime: 

Thus, inspiration crept into his soul. 

Until his thoughts arranged themselves in rhyme. 

He builded rhymes, as only poets can. 

From what the soul and inner vision sees, 

And, softly chanting. He extemporized 

These lines to Moro with the utmost ease. 



TO MORO 

Oh, silent Moro — silent as the dead — 
How Sphynx-like reared thy time-worn, hoary head ! 
The years have marked thee : "Relic of the Past." 
Dimmed is thy glory, splendor fading fast. 

15 



La Venus de la Habana 



Thy purpose long has been decreed as naught — 
Closed is thy dungeon, thy last battle fought. 
The guns are silenced on thy crumbling wall, 
Dismantled, rusted, lizards o'er them crawl 
And fight their petty fights where once men stood 
And bathed thy ramparts in their willing blood. 
Hushed is the tread of captives through thy gates; 
The tourist enters now, and guide relates 
The history of thy past. — No more the moan 
Of tortured victims, through thy halls of stone. 
Disturbs the silence settled over all. 
Rank weeds have choked the passage, like a pall, 
Where sentries proudly paced, when glory sate 
Upon thy brow : thy wide-flung court, where late 
The Dons of Spain paraded in their pride, 
Is strewn with rubbish now, on every side. 
And thou art lifeless — e'en the winds o'erhead 
Moan as they pass and whisper softly: ''dead!" 
This is the fate of all things 'neath the sun : — 
The new arrives — the old its course hath run 
And gone into the scrap-heap of things past : 
But little comes that long remains the last. 
A man may come and sway the whole wide world. 
And yet, when Time the blight of years hath hurled 
Upon him, deeds alone survive the clay 
For good or ill till earth shall pass away. 

Thus ended He and came back to the earth; 

But o'er him swept the thrill of old romance, 
That hovered like enchantment o'er the place. 

And He remained half in poetic trance. 
i6 



The First Meeting 



What wonder that, in such romantic mood, 
A Venus should appear upon the scene? 

To others She was but a pretty maid — 
To him, She was a goddess or a queen. 

Her dress, of gauzy whiteness, like the mist 
Of cabalistic incense, round her clung. 

Revealing lines of beauty seldom seen 
By Nature lavished on a girl so young. 

Her large, dark, dreamy, languid, soulful eyes 
Bespoke the blood of Spaniard and of Moor 

That met and mingled, giving to the world 
A type of beauty never known before. 

Her brow was alabaster, and her cheeks 

Glowed with the tint of blush-rose kist with dew, 

And full, red lips, as tender as a babe's. 
That none but mother's kisses ever knew. 



And over all a wealth of raven hair 

Hung loosely round her well-poised, shapely head. 
In silky fineness, massive in its folds. 

Crowned with a wreath of roses, white and red. 

The Faery Queen, that Spenser's art portrayed, 
A sweeter grace could scarcely have possessed. 

Or been more beautiful to look upon. 

Or with a charm more potent have been blessed. 

17 



La Venus de la Habana 



She glided down upon him, like a dream, 
More perfect than the most consummate art? 

And, beaming on him her most wondrous smile, 
She glided straight into his willing heart. 

She saw the love-light shining in his eyes. 
And She was not displeased to see it there: 

She blushed to crimson, when He doffed his hat. 
But willingly fell into Cupid's snare. 

It was the season of the Carnival, 

When girls are given greater freedom than 

At other times, else She had never dared 
To single out and favor any man. 

She paused beside the sea-wall, where He stood, 
As if to watch the waves break on the shore. 

But more to see if He would speak to her — 
I dare say girls have done the same before. 

She spoke good English, and, to let him know, 
She murmured something, in an undertone, 

About the beauty of the western sky, 

As one might do who stood there all alone. 

He looked at her a moment, half in doubt 
If He had better speak to her or not. 

And then He threw discretion to the winds: — 
"The day," said He, "has been exceeding hot." 
i8 



The First Meeting 



"Has it?" She said, with mischief in her voice; 

"You seem quite overcome — it is a pity — 
You should keep in the shade throughout the day — 

The night's the time to gad about the city." 

Her use of English knocked him off his feet — 
If I may use a term so very trite — 

But quickly balancing himself again, 
He put confusion instantly to flight. 

"I quite agree," He said, "that night's the time; 

But where's the charm without good company? 
E'en Adam was disconsolate alone: 

And then, this language is all blank to me." 

"A good interpreter is what you need," 

She smiling said; "but then there's the expense, 

Which isn't overmuch, if you beware 

And don't get on the wrong side of the fence." 

"With me," He said, "it much depends upon 
What's on the other side — if you were there 

I would get over if it cost my head: 

As for my heart — you have that in your care." 

"If that be so, I'm on the other side: 

But you will find the fence exceeding high — 

Built to exclude Quixotic gentlemen; 

But there's a way to scale it — if you try." 

19 



La Venus de la Habana 



"When may I trj^ thou fairest of the fair?" 
He dared to ask — the heavens did not fall. 

She hesitated, then She murmured low: 

"At the Tacon, at Sunday night's masked-ball. 

"As Carmen I will be costumed," She said, 
And, with a bird-like flutter, She was gone, 

And left him wond'ring, as She disappeared, 
If head or feet He really stood upon. 



20 



CANTO II 



THE MASQUERADE 



Tlie Carnival was at its very height, 

On Sunday afternoon, at four o'clock. 

Such gaiety, in staid United States, 

Would give our church-folks something of a 
shock. 

But Latins are of temper to enjoy 

The worldly first — Dame Nature made them so — 
Our Yankee coldness is a make-believe — 

We're hypocrites, in that respect, you know. 

The balconies, along the Prado^ swarmed 
With ladies in their gala-day attire. 

Their lustr'ous eyes a-sparkle with delight — 

Their cheeks aglow with youth's compelling fire. 

The streets were thronged with rigs of every sort 

From donkey-cart to noisy tallyho, 
And men on horseback pranced their steeds about 

To satisfy their lust for foppish show. 

Some tandems and some four-in-hands were there, 
With occupants in stiff and stately pose: 

And many coaches, hired for the day, 

Held laughing girls, each one a budding rose. 

21 



La Venus de la Habana 



From balconies, on those who passed beneath, 
Confetti rained and serpentines flew back 

In steady stream, true to intended mark — 
'Tis easy done when once one gets the knack. 

Our hero caught the spirit of the day 
And entered gaily into all the fun. 

Till He became the target of bright eyes, 
And many smiles and coy glances won. 

Yet, of that throng, but one He waited for, 
As carriage after carriage passed his way 

With occupants from every walk in life — 
Made equals by the license of the day. 

At last She came, her mother at her side. 

Their carriage drawn by six high-stepping bays, 

And, as She passed, their eyes a moment met. 
And more than tongue can speak passed in their 
gaze. 

Then, from her hair. She drew a full-blown rose 
And prest it to her lips, in blushing haste, 

And, smiling, flung it to him, as She passed — 
Her mother saw and felt herself disgraced. 

She darkly frowned and spoke some angry words, 
While Venus held her head more proudly high ; 

And, to rebuff her mother — so it seemed — 
She turned about again and caught his eye. 
22 



The Masquerade 



Such open favor no one could mistake — 
Her mother's anger turned to sudden rage — 

She gave the coachman orders to drive home — 
The proper thing to do at her ripe age. 

Old Age and Youth view things through diff'rent 
eyes, 

And it is well, for Youth needs some restraint, 
And Age must somehow occupy the time. 

Though it be only in unjust complaint. 

But Age sometimes forgets the time of Youth, 
Or more indulgent often Age would be, 

And deaf and blind become to petty things 
That harm not Youth when Age disdains to see. 

How sweet the play-time of our childhood days! 

How sw^eet the sex-thrill of the mating-time! 
How sweet the union of congenial souls, 

And that supreme awakening of our prime! 

And then how sad the coming of Old Age, 
If every sweetness holds a bitter taste, 

And mind turns back to live life o'er again 
And sighs o'er time that went to idle waste. 

Waste not the opportunities of Youth 

When love is warm and its reward is great: 

Life's Winter is the time for peace and rest — 
Life's Spring's the time for yearning hearts to 
mate. 

23 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



Some thoughts like these ran quickly through his 
mind 

And made him feel the mating-time was near, 
And all his being thrilled with new delight, 

So strangely sweet it filled him half with fear. 

He watched her carriage till it passed from view, 
Then, as a stone man, stood — all time and place 

The moment blotted from his consciousness. 
And all He saw was her sweet, smiling face. 

At last, as one who breaks hypnotic bonds, 

He rubbed his brow and blinked his eyes until 

He felt assured that He was quite awake, 
And once again the master of his will. 

The charm was broken that had held him there, 
And all the pageant seemed a silly show. 

Too trivial to give a passing thought — 
A glance, a smile, a rose had made it so. 

As 'twere some jewel of empyrean worth. 

He held her rose close to his heaving breast — 

A moment there, and then He prest his lips 
Upon the petals where her lips had prest. 

A madd'ning thrill swept o'er him, for, it seemed, 
In some strange way, the sweetness of her kiss 

Had mingled with the fragrance of the rose, 
So that it seemed her lips were prest to his. 
24 



The Masquerade 



He saw her face, so sweetly beautiful, 

Smile from the rose, with eyes of pure light; 

He saw her lips, upturned to welcome his. 
And felt the thrill of love's divine delight. 

Is there, in life, a thrill that can compare 

With that which comes while looking into eyes 

That send a message lips can never speak, 

From yearning depths where the sex-mystery 
lies ? 

Fair Venus and our hero felt the thrill 
In all its subtle, deep, enthralling power. 

And knew that Fate would bring them heart to 
heart — 
They need but wait for Time to strike the hour. 

He elbowed through the closely pressing throng, 
Her rose held close, with most exquisite care. 

Yet half the petals from the heart fell out 
Revealing a wee missive hidden there. 

He drew it forth, with growing wonderment, 
And what He read filled him with new delight: 

*'I always keep my word, as you will find 
If you attend the masquerade to-night." 

Some little doubt had lingered in his mind 

If She would meet him at the masquerade; 

But, twice affirmed, her word must be believed — 
A lady's word, in all, should be obeyed. 

25 



La Venus de la Habana 



He hurried to his room to be alone, 
Away from all the vulgar, staring crowd, 

That He might think of her and dream his dreams 
As lovers have since Eden's love was vow'd. 

He lived each blessed moment o'er again. 

And yet again, till darkness filled his room, 

And then, almost as though 'twere really She, 
Her smiling face beamed on him from the gloom. 

He stretched his yearning arms into the void. 
And whispered: — "Darling! darling! come to 
me!" 
Her voice seemed to answer to his call: — 

"Sweetheart! My Prince! My love is all for 
thee!" 

The world was being all transformed — or He — 
Or something changing — He could not make 
out; 
But He and She, and Destiny, were there — 

And Love and Faith — and banished was all 
doubt. 

Shut in her room. She also dreamed her dreams, 

While parents planned how She should feel their 

wrath : 

They'd send her to a convent where She would 

Be forced to walk the Straight and Narrow 

Path. 

26 



The Masquerade 



Her father was a proud and haughty man, 
And strict in all the customs of his race — 

At least, where his own family was concerned — 
And She knew what She must prepare to face. 

But She rebelled, with all her youthful will, 
Against restraint that held her sex in thrall. 

And, for this once, She vowed to break the bonds 
And meet her lover, though the heavens fall. 

Convention is a stupid, cruel thing 

To willful Youth, the whole wide world around, 
And will be broken to the end of Time, 

When there's a way by ardent lovers found. 

And so She sat and pondered long and deep 
O'er how She might get to the masquerade. 

But found no way, and gave up in despair — 
She could not keep the promise She had made. 

And then a thought stole in upon despair: — 
Her maid was to attend a social dance 

That very night, in costume and in mask, 
And in that fact She saw her only chance. 

The maid must be induced to let her go 

With her as though She were a servant friend; 

She might thus, undetected, steal away. 
And little danger need She apprehend. 

27 



La Venus de la Habana 



And thus good fortune favored her at last; 

And when her mother came to say good night, 
She feigned a headache — begged to be alone — 

And would her mother please turn off the light? 

A little rest and quiet, by herself, 

Was all she needed — on the morrow She 

Would listen to what parents had to say, 
And felt assured that then they could agree. 

If they determined to shut her within 

Some convent's gloom, SheM try not to com- 
plain, 

Though home was very dear and sweet to her. 
And She did hope at home She might remain. 

Her mother, thus disarmed, kist her good night 
And went away with worry in her mind. 

And conscience-troubled for that day's rebuke — 
Determined, on the morrow, to be kind. 

No sooner had her mother left the room, 

Than from her bed She lept with nimble haste, 

And donned her costume without much ado — 
The hour was late — there was no time to waste. 

All cloaked and hooded and her beauty masked. 
She and her maid w^ent forth into the night. 

Where secretly a carriage waited them. 

As though they had been fugitives in flight. 

28 



The Masquerade 



In blissful ignorance her parents slept 

While She sped onward to the masquerade 

With quickening pulse that She could not subdue; 
For, be it known, She was somewhat afraid. 

She knew the risks of her nocturnal flight, 

But gladly faced them all for love's sweet sake, 

And^ nothing could have turned her back again. 
Although She knew^ her honor was at stake. 

The hour was that when Night awaits the Morn 
Ere She stole in and mingled with the throng 

Of merry revelers, at the Tacon, 

Now warmed to recklessness in dance and song. 

A public masquerade, where vulgar men 
And careless women meet in lewd embrace. 

Was something She had never seen before, 
And seeing brought the crimson to her face. 

And sick at heart, She w^ould have turned away 
Had not the thought of him come to her then 

To give her strength to face that awful scene 
Of sensual women and licentious men. 

She saw the danzon made a vicious thing 
Of lustful, wriggling madness unconfined — 

The drunkenness of sex aroused by sex 

That thrones the flesh as master over mind. 

29 



La Venus de la Habana 



She saw the boxes thronged with foreign men 
Who judged of morals bj' that tainted few — 

As plainly shown by their superior air — 
And keen resentment hot within her grew. 

And then She saw him far across the room, 
And joy swept all other feelings clear 

And filled her with a sense of sweet relief, 
Just knowing that her hero was so near. 

A mystic message told him She was there, 
And so He turned and looked into her eyes 

With penetration that could not mistake. 

For Love sees through the curtain of disguise. 

With hurried strides that swept his pathway clear. 
He bow'd, almost to kneeling, at her feet. 

And, when He rose, She stood, with cloak removed. 
The promised Carmen He had come to meet. 

She gave her hand, in welcoming salute, 

And that first touch, the moment, made them 
dumb; 
And then He found the voice to whisper low: 
"My Fairy Queen, I knew that you would 
come!" 

Then, with his arm about her slender waist. 
Where no man's arm had ever been before. 

They swung into the rhythm of a waltz 
And glided out upon the ballroom floor. 
30 



The Masquerade 



They passed beneath a battery of eyes 

Straight to an exit, in the curtained wall, 

That opened to a moonlit balcony 

Where lovers came to answer amour's call. 

Alone they stood beneath a cobalt sky 
That heralded the coming of the morn, 

Their thoughts too troubled for connected speech — 
Their hearts by strange, conflicting passions 
torn. 

She drew awaj'' with modesty unfeigned, 
Afraid, now that She was with him alone; 

And He stood wond'ring if, at last, true love 
Had found him out and claimed him for her 
own. 

The charm that held them would not be dispelled. 
And tenser yet each passing moment grew, 

When suddenly the curtain drew apart 

Revealing them to some one's startled view. 

She caught her breath and grasped the balustrade. 
With features blanched, as though from spectral 
fear : — 

**My brother!" whispered She. "He will return — 
I must escape — he must not find me here!" 

He saw a ladder, raised against the wall. 

Not far from hand, some workman had forgot. 

And this He drew against the balcony, 
As in a play It were part of the plot. 

31 



La Venus de la Habana 



And then He turned to take her in his arms; 

But She drew back and motioned him away, 
When footsteps sounded on the floor again — 

She knew the step, and trembled in dismay. 

"Be quick!" She gasped. "Detain him while I go! 

We'll meet again! — the garden! — I will give 
A signal — bird call — come not till you hear! 

And keep my secret guarded, as you live!" 

"As sure as Love or Fate or Death itself, 
I'll guard your secret and j^our honor too, 

And will be waiting, nightly, for your call — 
Command me and your bidding I will do." 

He held the curtains closed with steady hands, 
While She descended — brave, though trem- 
blingly — 

And then He drew the velvet wide apart, 
And stood there smiling with complacency. 

The brother bounded to the balustrade, 
And, peering over, called his sister's name; 

But She was in her carriage, speeding home. 
And, to his call, no answering voice came. 



32 



CANTO III 



THE TRYST 



The hour was midnight, slumb'rous silence lay 
Upon the city, and the moon above 

Rode clear and charmful toward her western goal, 
And all was ideal for a tryst of love. 

A mansion, in Havana's wealthy section. 

Stood half in shadow, half in soft moonlight — 

The windows all were shuttered and were dark — 
The household had retired for the night. 

But, as the last stroke of the midnight chimes 
Came tinkling from the distance, faint and weird, 

A shutter opened softly, inch by inch. 

And, cautiously, a maiden there appeared. 

A moment listened She, then forth She stepped, 
All clothed in white, into the garden close. 

And hurried to the shadow of a wall 

That, like a battlement, before her rose. 

With hand prest hard against her throbbing heart, 

To still the tumult of excitement ten- 
Fold stronger than She e're had felt before, 
She looked about her, cautiously, and then 

33 



La Venus de la Habana 



She gave a signal that might well have seemed 
The faint, nocturnal calling of a bird, 

To any passerby, but there, upon 

The other side, our hero, waiting, heard 

And understood, for He had waited there 

Each night, for that same signal, since the ball. 

With some misgivings that She might decide 
To break her promise and not come at all. 

His heart was beating wildly as He gave 
His answer to her signal, for He knew 

That He had won his lady-love at last, 
And all his doubts in quick confusion flew. 

His blood went, surging tumult, through his 
veins^ — 

He trembled with emotion deep and strong. 
And thrilled with daring, as the knights of old 

Were thrilled to do the deeds that live in song. 

An ancient laurel tree its branches flung 

Across the wall — I need not tell you more — 

Our hero soon was on the garden side, 
Led on by Romance and his bold amour. 

He found her in an arbor, where the moon- 
Light trembled through the tangles of a vine: — 

"Mi viva! Mi corazonT He whispered low, 

**My queen! tell me, in truth, that you are 
mine!" 

34 



The Tryst 



"My prince!" She said, "am I not waiting here? 

Is this not proof that you have won my heart? 
What can I do, or say, to make you know? — " 

"My sweet!" said He, "indeed you've done your 
part! 

"Your being here, at midnight, is enough 
To tell the hosts of stars that o'er us shine. 

The story older than the stars themselves, 
And tells me that your heart is only mine." 

She sprang into the arms outstretched to her. 
And love's sweet madness, like a tidal wave. 

Submerged them to undreamed-of rapt'rous depths, 
And each their lips unto the other gave 

In one, long, blissful, honeyed moment; then 
He held her from him and looked in her eyes. 

And there He saw that something lovers see — 
Unfath'mable, and j^et it satisfies. 

The spell of Romance held them in its power — 
His soul reached out to hers and hers to him, 

And, mingling, glowed a halo round their heads 
That made, to them, the moon's light wan and 
dim. 

Once more He drew her close in fond delight — 
Her yielding bosom close against his own. 

And heart-throb answered heart-throb joyously, 
And all was well — at last they were alone. 

35 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



The world, shut out, for them did not exist; 

Nor Time, nor Place, nor Past, nor Future, all 
Was Then and There, and rapture without bound, 

And only will to answer Nature's call. 

Kiss after kiss He prest upon her lips — 

Upon her brow — and, then. He even dared 

To touch his lips upon her snow-white breast 
That fashion's vain decree had partly bared. 

Her soft, round arms about his neck She wound, 
And snuggled close, in love's first warm em- 
brace, 
With every muscle tense with new delight, 

While youth's sweet recklessness shone in her 
face. 

Such glory, in a face, but one may see; 

For only first-love makes that glory shine. 
And shine but once in all its virgin fire 

That makes the human features seem divine. 

He gazed at her great beauty, half in awe, 
So wonderful it seemed — so far above 

The wildest, fleetest fancy of his dreams — 
And She was his in this — her virgin love. 

Her virgin love ! — The thought awoke in him 
A sense of honor that had slumbered long. 

And all his blood turned cold with sudden fear 
That He forget and do her lasting wrong. 

36 



The Tryst 



And, in his heart, He made a solemn vow 

That then and there would end his Don Juan 
life: 

Though no such object had been in his mind, 
He there determined to make her his wife. 

And, to protect her from himself. He rose 
And stood before her, as a suitor might 

Who had not won, but sought to win her love, 
And thus He spoke to put himself aright: 

"Oh, trusting maiden — can you e'er forgive — ? 

I thought to find you artful, as I've found 
So many others; but your simple trust 

Has filled me with contrition most profound. 

*Tve only played with life, and been amused 
Or bored by women whom I've chanced to meet. 

And little knew that love was pure and chaste, 
Nor virgin virtue was a thing so sweet. 

"I thought to woo you for a passing hour, 
Then to forget, as I have done before, 

And here I find myself your humble slave, 
And you, my queen, to honor and adore. 

"Since Sunday night the world has changed for me — 
You are my World, my Hope, my Life, my 
Light — 

You are my Heaven, sent to me on earth — 

My soul has reached and grasped the infinite. 

37 



La Venus de la Habana 



"In duty I am bound to take my leave 
Without delay, ere some one finds us here 

And gives alarm — all explanations would 
Be far from satisfactory, I fear." 

"There is no other way," She answered him, 
"No other way we may together be. 

And thus to meet and part to meet no more 
Would end all happiness in life for me." 

"There must be other ways to meet," He said, 
"Than clandestinely — I will find a way 

To be presented by a mutual friend, 

If you will tell me, sweetheart, that I may?" 

He stood before her, humble and contrite. 
Awaiting her reply, with bated breath, 

As one might wait for sentence to be passed 
That would give freedom or condemn to death. 

Half crouching, in a corner 'mong the leaves. 
She listened and She could not understand 

The meaning of his strangely altered mood, 
For everything had gone as they had planned. 

"I have ofifended you, I fear," She said, 
"And you are sorry that you ventured here; 

That is the reason why you would depart — 
I pray you go — you'll find the way is clear." 

38 



The Tryst 



"No! no!" said He, "you do not understand! 

It was the sweetest moment of my life 
When kiss for kiss you gave me here to-night — 

God knows I want you, sweetheart, for my wife! 

"Here, on my knees, I vow my love is true: 
My all is yours — your wish my law shall be ; 

And life shall not be long enough to bring 
The time when you are not the world to me ! 

"To guard you from detection is my wish — 
For my poor self I have not any fear! 

If this one meeting should cost me my life 
I'd deem the price was not a whit too dear! 

"For time, nor place, nor even death itself. 
Can ever blight the love I have for thee: 

And when I'm dust my love will linger here, 
And where thou art, there also I shall be !" 

"Then come to me — mi viva!" whispered She, 
"And hold me to your heart with all your 
might — 

No matter what the morning light may bring 
As long as we are here, alone, to-night! 

"A Cuban girl puts love above all else, 
And, when she loves, it is not for a day; 

It is, of her, a living, breathing part. 

And while life lasts it cannot pass away!" 

39 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



He gathered her into his arms again, 

And in that mutual clasp all doubting fled, 

And love's great passion ruled them for an hour, 
And their two souls in perfect bliss were wed. 

His poet's soul was roused to heights sublime, 
And fervent vows He poured into her ear 

In rhythmed cadence — would I could repeat — 
Each word a love-pearl wonderful to hear. 

Entranced, She listened till his voice seemed 
Like music wafted faintly from afar, 

Hypnotic in its power to bring peace, 

With no harsh notes its soothing lilt to mar. 

And Time flew on his stern, remorseless way. 
Nor paused to lengthen out their hour of bliss — 

The world whirled on to meet the morning sun. 
For time nor planets mark the lover's kiss. 

Drunk with the surfeit of love's gluttony. 
They fell asleep — as lovers sometimes will — 

Just as the daw^n began to tinge the East, 
And birds, astir, to twitter and to trill. 

It was a fatal thing for them to do. 

For her young brother, early from his bed, 

As was his custom, for a morning stroll. 
By some ill-fairy, straight to them was led. 
40 



The Tryst 



To see his sister in a stranger's arms, 

Contently sleeping like a tired child, 
Near sent his senses tumbling in despair — 

His heart stood still, and then his brain went 
wild: 

And, with one bound, he roughly grasped her arm 
And snatched her, screaming, from her lover's 
side, 

Who, thus aroused from slumber, blindly smote 
The young defender of the family pride. 

The youngster, full of fire, quickly sprang 
Upon his feet; but stepping in between. 

She pleaded with them both to calm themselves, 
And managed to prevent a bloody scene. 

"This gentleman is here at my request: 
His honor is, I know, without a stain — 

Give him your card to meet you at your club, 
And He our trysting to you will explain." 

The boy glared at him, challenge in his eyes. 
Then gave his card and quickly strode away 

And left the lovers standing there alone — 
Pale and disheveled in the light of day. 

They neither spoke, for at that moment speech 
Would have been thunder on the surcharged air; 

But in each other's eyes they saw the light 
Of love eternal that all things will dare. 

41 



La Venus de la Habana 



And who can tell what then passed through their 
minds, 

As Romance tumbled from his high estate, 
And stern Reality came stalking in — 

The cruel messenger of fickle Fate. 

They knew that love would not run smooth for 
them. 
And steeled themselves to meet with purpose 
strong 
The opposition that was sure to come, 

And treat their trysting as a social wrong. 

The code of honor of the land would look 
Upon his bold intrusion but with hate. 

And willingly would never give consent 
To his becoming her conjugal mate. 

They knew all this and yet did not despair. 
Whatever came between, the die was cast; 

And love that bideth will not be denied 

But seeks and finds and takes its own at last. 

She grasped his hand and led him down a path 

To a far corner of the garden wall. 
And there He saw, half hid among the vines, 

A ragged breach through which a man might 
crawl. 

She pointed to it with a trembling hand: — 
"This is the entrance to a secret way 

That leads to safety — it has served before, 

When war's misfortune on our household lay. 
42 



The Tryst 



"There is no other way for you to go, 

And to remain would be to challenge Fate. 

You'll meet my brother at his club to-night — 
Till all is well we must in patience wait. 

"Whatever happens, give to me your word 

That harm shall not come to my brother when 

You meet with him — he is a fiery youth, 

And knows but little of the ways of men." 

He took her hand and raised it to his lips: — 
"I give my word — I will be most discreet. 

Whatever comes. But this I promise you, 

That somehow, somewhere, we again will meet. 

"For life, without the music of your voice — 
Without the touch of your sweet lips to mine — 

Would be as barren as a desert waste — 

And God's own sun for me would cease to 
shine ! 

"I love you with a love that passeth all 

The power of speech to tell the smallest part! 

I love you with a love that takes its root 

And springs to blossom from my inmost heart!" 

She gazed at him a moment wistfully, 

Then ran away because her will was weak; 

He let her go, because He also feared 

To trust himself at length of love to speak. 

43 



La Venus de la Habana 



Thus ends this canto: I might tell you how 
He groped along a musty passageway, 

Where stagnant air was scarcely fit to breathe, 
Until at last He came to light of day. 

He reached his room in safety, I will say. 
And She her room, her brother also his; 

And there I leave them, but you may be sure 
In canto four there will be more of this. 



44 



CANTO IV 



HIS AWAKENING 



In the seclusion of his hotel room, 

Our hero pondered and was much perplexed 
As to what course was best for him to take, 

And wondered what would happen to him next. 

A week before He would have treated all 
With racy comment, and with laughter gay; 

But, somehow, all his flippancy was gone. 

And vague misgivings would not chase away. 

The night's adventure seemed scarce but a dream, 
And his fair charmer some dream-vision flown; 

The brother was a stern reality. 

And might be hard to reckon with alone. 

The duel still was frequent in the isle; 

But, if He fought He could not fight to win, 
Because She would in spirit stand between 

To shield from him unwittingly her kin. 

His first thought was to board his yacht 
And sail for Mexico ; and then his pride 

Forbade him leave — He would remain and face 
What might befall, and let Chance be his guide. 

45 



La Venus de la Habana 



Chance oft had favored him in other daj'^s: 

Why should she now forsake him in his plight? 

The thought his inborn sense of humor woke, 
Until He smiled, and then He felt all right. 

It is a Yankee trait to never meet 

With troubles till they come: He sang a song, 
And w^histled ragtime as He dressed himself — 

One of his t^^pe could not be troubled long. 

And so He deftly tied his four-in-hand 

And brushed the cobwebs from his matted hair, 

Then rubbed the sleepy look out of his eyes 
While blithely singing some light opera air. 

He paced his room and smoked a black cigar 
And blew great clouds of smoke about his head, 

And builded castles in the circling rings. 
But to no firm decision was He led. 

And still He paced till three cigars were gone, 
Then shrugged his shoulders as a Cuban might, 

Swore softly at himself for being such 

An ass, and braced himself to stay and fight. 

All spick and span He sauntered to the street — 
He loved to mingle with his fellow men. 

There was much time before him to be filled — 
His watch told him the hour was only ten. 

46 



His Awakening 



That gave him time to look about awhile; 

That evening He would visit the Fonton 
And see the famous game of Jai Alai 

That He had heard attracted the bon-ton. 

Across Parque Central He took his way, 

Past the Albisu to Obispo street, 
Which is so narrow, awnings, overhead. 

As if in friendship in the center meet. 

The sidewalks were too scant for two abreast, 
And carriages might only pass one way, 

And only stop for people to alight — 

A rule enforced since some far distant day. 

Stores, crammed with goods from every world- 
famed mart. 

Attracted him till time sped on to noon. 
And to Cafe Europa He dropped in 

And learned " cuchard' is the word for spoon. 

A word a day of Spanish He had learned 
For near a month — that seemed an awful lot: 

"De mi un copa de cafe,'' He said, 

(The mozo smiled) ''caliente — that means hot. 

''Pronto, hoho, don't drop dead before 

My order's served — caramba! you are slow. 

Yo tenga mucho hambre — can't you see? 
Or must I introduce you to my toe?" 

47 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



He drank his coffee, ate a piece of toast, 

Then called the waiter : "Cuantof He inquired. 

"\Jn peso^' soberly the waiter said. 

"Que dise, hombref — say, you make me tired. 

"Coffee and toast, one dollar! — you're asleep — 
Wake up ! — here's fifty cents — that is the charge. 

You've got our New York waiters beat a mile, 
And they have gall that measures rather large. 

"Here's un peseta for yourself, chico; 

Go serve that German seated over there — 
Don't stop to offer up your thanks to me — 

Go, chase yourself before you make me swear." 

With this last flippant outburst He arose 
And down the calle went his loitering way, 

With indecision if 't were best to take 
A sail to old Cabanas 'cross the bay. 

He passed the palace of the president. 

Where bloody Weyler won a butcher's fame — 

The building was the same as in his day. 
But that was all, since Yankee justice came. 

If walls had eyes and ears to see and hear. 
And tongues to speak, what bloody tales, thought 
He, 

This pile of stone might tell to shock the world, 
Of lust and crime and Spanish cruelty. 

48 



His Awakening 



But silent as the dust of ages gone 
This palace of misrule must ever stand; 

Yet crime shall find no more a welcome here, 
For we will guide with firm but friendly hand. 

Where once our flag has been upraised for right 
There right must rule and justice reach to all: 

We never will assume the bully's part, 
Nor stoop to conquest over nations small. 

He strolled across the Plaza des Armes, 
Beneath the statue of the great Colon; 

Close on his left the ancient Fiierza lay. 
The first defense in Cuba built of stone. 

The quaint old draw-bridge, with its rusty chains, 
The toy-like guns that once could guard the bay, 

The whole at one quick glance brought home to him 
How swiftly Time moves on his changeful way. 

Nor will he turn to trace one backward step, 
Howe'er destructive or how false it be; 

He keeps the onward tenor of his way. 
And leaves regret to such as you and me. 

This squat old fortress interested him. 
So all unlike was it to things at home; 

'Twas like to something in a legend told, 
Or faded picture in some musty tome. 

49 



La Venus de la Habana 



There is a bell hung in the ancient tower, 
That, long ere Moro or La Punta frowned, 

Was used to ring the passing of the hour, 
And give alarm when pirates lurked around. 

Renowned De Soto laid its cornerstone 
And saw it rise — a fortress and abode — 

And there he left his fair young bride to rule, 
And sailed away, spurred by adventure's goad. 

And from a loop-hole in the lookout tower 

She watched his ships till they dropped from 
her sight; 

And there she scanned the long ship-empty sea 
For his return each day till fall of night. 

For weary months she watched with sinking heart, 
Across the gray and melancholy main. 

For her loved lord to come to her once more. 
And bring the sunshine back to her again. 

At last his ships rose o'er the ocean's rim 
And happy light illumined her sad face; 

But he came not — the river that he named 
Rolled over his eternal resting place. 

And when she learned that he would come no more 
She drooped and faded like a thirsty flower: 

Her young heart broke and death released her soul, 
And legends say her ghost still haunts the tower. 

50 



His Azvakening 



Across the street, some distance farther down, 
The little chapel, biiilded on the spot 

Where Christopher Columbus first heard mass 
On Cuban soil, his poet's fancy caught. 

It seemed to him a presence hovered there 
To guard from desecration and to shed 

A hallowed air upon it as each day 

The throngs pass by with loud and heedless 
tread. 

Once every year the chapel is unlocked 

And opened to the public, who may see 
The relics and the famous paintings there, 
• And, if inclined, may bend a reverent knee. 

He crossed himself and passed upon his way. 
Made better, for the time at any rate, 

Because one man had dared the pathless sea 
Some centuries before that day and date. 

An ancient church with walls dark stained by 
time, 

He next encountered; and He thought a prayer 
To offer at the altar, but He found 

The Customs House had taken quarters there. 

The law of change had ousted monk and priest, 
And nothing holy lingered in the place, 

And so He did not enter in to kneel. 

For there no more might one seek heav'nly 
grace. 

51 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



He was not much chagrined, for be it known, 
In true devotion He was somewhat stale — 

As many church folks are — nor was He one 
O'er desecration to set up a wail. 

At the Machina He engaged a boat, 

And sailed around the wreckage of the Maine, 
And wondered if some mortal, if he chose. 

The cause of her destruction could explain. 

As for himself — He had his own belief. 
But found it wiser not to speak it out. 

At least where Cubans might resent his views. 
And, stirred to anger, even call him out. 

He was a fencer of some little skill. 

And w^ould have fought for his fair lady's sake; 

But fighting over who blew up a ship — 
He never would such foolish chances take. 

As many tourists had before him done. 
He stepped upon the tangled, twisted steel. 

And thought the thoughts that tongue can never 
speak, 
And felt as only poets ever feel. 

And as He often did when deeply stirred. 
He poetized to give his feelings vent: 

The boatman listened with indulgent smile. 
Though he knew not what any of it meant. 

52 



His Awakening 



"Oh, fated ship that set a nation free, 
Why has our country thus abandoned thee? 
Where is our pride to suffer such a shame 
To blot our navy's long respected name? 
Why prate of glory while the nations sneer 
At sight of our humiliation here? 
Is it that burns no more In Yankee breast 
The spark that fired Perry and the rest 
Of those old heroes when our name was young? 
Breathes there no man with eloquence among 
Our boasted millions, who, in words of flame. 
Can rightly picture this disgraceful shame? 
Within this shattered hulk, in their last sleep, 
A score of brave lads lie, while o'er them creep 
The slimy things that gnaw their flesh away — 
Must they, unclaimed, here wait the Judgment 
Day?" 

Thus ending. He stepped to his waiting boat, 
And stood, salute, in farewell to the Maine; 

Then sailed to Regla, where still rotting stood 
The abandoned bull-ring, typical of Spain. 

No more the bellow of the tortured bull 
Resounded in the closure — the applause 

Was heard no more for matador's deft skill. 
For purer minds had purged the country's laws. 

* The Maine has since been disposed of by the U. S. Govern- 
ment. 



53 



La Venus de la Habana 



The cock-pit, now abandoned, stood awry, 

A shapeless bowl, where men once paid their 
fee; 

The giant weeds now congregated there 
To mock the curious who came to see. 

It all depressed him in his sobered mood — 

He felt that He would never have stooped down 

To patronize the sports that flourished there 
With tolerant sanction of the Spanish crown. 

From here his course lay where Cabanas rose, 
And, landing there. He climbed the winding 
path 
That oft had echoed the unflinching tread 

Of captives doomed to meet the Spaniard's 
wrath. 

Now children played where once the sentry paced, 
And squealing pigs alone blocked his ascent, 

And chickens, too, strayed from the nearby huts, 
Were ample proof of what sweet freedom meant. 

To enter now was but to make request 

Of a lone guard that stood beside the gate. 

Because the fort held nothing to conceal 

Since Uncle Sam had grasped the helm of State. 

The massive walls that straggle o'er the cliff. 
The wide, deep moat along the landward side, 

Would little check invasion in our day. 

Yet long its strength all armed force defied. 

54 



His Awakening 



Along the ramparts ancient guns of bronze 
Still stand as they have stood for centuries; 

Their only use to answer the salute 

Of modern warships' loud-mouthed batteries. 

Before him stretched the channel to the bay, 
With Casa Blanca snug upon the shore, 

And, crescent-like, the city swept beyond, 
With Principe to guard her western door. 

Far to the left, upon her dome-shaped hill, 
Old Aterez loomed, cleancut, 'gainst the sky, 

Her ramparts facing the horizon round — 
A handful there an army might defy: 

And did defy, when British ships and troops 

Took all beside until Havana fell: 
And since a silken banner there had waved 

Ere Yankee soldiers tolled the Spaniard's knell. 

Upon his right, the sun-kist ocean rolled, 
And Moro sat, high perched above the lee, 

Her light-shaft like a giant finger raised — 
Old Glory from her flagstaff floating free. 

His heart with patriotism swelled to see 

His country'^s flag there raised for peace and 
i-ight, 
And thrill on thrill deep in his soul awoke. 

And tears of pride welled up and dimmed his 
sight. 

55 



La Venus de la Habana 



Far out upon the sea-drive, well entrenched 
Behind a grass-grown terrace that disclosed 

No hint of deadly engines of defense, 
The Santa Clara battery reposed. 

Below, along the widely circling shore 

The trolly line to the Vedado and 
To Mariano stretched glistening in the sun — 

The sea and city bord'ring either hand. 

The cars like toys from that distance seemed, 
Or creeping insects passing to and fro 

With many stops and starts along the way, 
As ants are seen about their way to go. 

And high above, like specks set in the blue. 

The buzzards circled lazily around. 
Or spiralled swiftly down the steady breeze 

Until they sprawled ungainly on the ground. 

He smiled to see the awkward flounderings 

Of these famed scavengers that, in their flight. 

Display a perfect mastery of poise 

They lose completely when they are alight. 

For long He gazed, enraptured by the scene, 
And dreamed of all the glory of the day 

When Spain was mistress of the seven seas — 
Before misrule had brought her to decay. 

56 



His Awakening 



He sighed and turned back to the fort again; 

And passing on to other scenes, He saw 
A tablet, set into a battered wall, 

Where captives fell, shot under martial law. 

The marks of bullets and the bloody stains 
Were there to tell the story of the Don, 

As Written page can never serve to tell 

When Time's thick curtain o'er the past is 
drawn. 

A dark-skinned Cuban, with a Yankee lantern, 
Led him into a dungeon, where 'tis told 

That men were walled into their scanty cells 
That reeked with long accumulated mold. 

No light nor sound came to them from without; 

One long, still, starless night of awful gloom 
Enveloped them, like Death's close-clinging shroud, 

As nearer stretched the hand of certain doom. 

No height to stand nor space to lie at length, 
But ever to sit crouching, chin to knees, 

Till human form resembled more the beast 
And senses numbed into a sort of ease. 

They mostly died or lost their reason soon; 

But some lived on, with Hope their daily light. 
And, old and withered, tottered forth to see 

The glorious sunshine after years of night. 

57 



La Venus de la Habana 



Each cell was crowded thick with memories 
So awful that his heart grew sick and chilled, 

And to his guide He turned with the request 
To lead him from that place with horror filled. 

Depressed and hot, He sat upon a stone 

And fanned himself, absorbed in gloomy thought; 

Then, smiling, from his heart her image sprang, 
And all was sunshine in that prison spot. 

He rose and tipped his guide, then went away, 
Along the ramparts to the northern gate. 

Where lengthening shadows from the turrets flung 
Told time had flown and that the hour was 
late. 

Beneath the arch of damp and crumbling stone. 

Across the draw^bridge where dull echoes woke, 
He passed and stopped not till He reached the 
shore, 
And there He turned and with some feeling 
spoke : 

"Farewell to thee — Cabanas old; 
Farewell to all thy reeking mold ; 
Farewell thy prison halls of shame; 
Farewell to all thy past but name. 
May Time's soft mantle lightly fall 
O'er battlement and moat and wall 
And hide all trace of bloody crime 

58 



His Awakening 



That flourished in the Spaniard's time. 
May thy stained stones ne'er darker grow 
From blood in sacrificial flow ; 
But peace, unending, let here rest 
As babe upon its mother's breast, 
And plenty, from this isle's dark soil, 
Shall recompense sweet freedom's toil." 

He stood in silence gazing at the fort 

A moment, then with hand upon his breast, 

With fervency He spoke his feelings free, 
And many doubts for him were set at rest: 

"Farewell to thee — thou baser man ; 

Farew^ell to self's debasing ban; 

Farewell to nights of revelry; 

Farewell the paths of vanity: 

May nobler aims and purer thought 

Arise in thee until is wrought 

The change that purges heart and soul, 

Till thou art worthy of the goal 

Of woman's love: May Time be kind 

And lead to betterment of mind 

And good endeavor that shall win 

Thy better self from petty sin; 

And from thy soul's rich depth let grow 

The bloom of perfect peace below." 

He waved his hand to call a passing boat, 

And, taking seat. He bow'd his head in thought. 

With more of purpose than had been his wont, 
For in his heart a lasting change was wrought. 

59 



La Venus de la Habana 



He saw with keener vision than before 

Life's deeper meaning — life to him had meant 

But Self and Here and Now and Pleasure vain, 
And sex in woman her sole blandishment. 

He thought of her — She whom He truly loved, 
And all the grossness in him slunk away, 

And something sweet and tender filled its place — 
As sunshine floods a glorious summer day. 

And thus He sailed as twilight settled down 
Upon the city and the purpling bay; 

His mood as somber as the dimming hulks 
Of freighted ships that all about him lay. 

With ladders lowered for departing guests 
A battleship loomed white upon his left. 

And happy voices floated to his ear; 

Then suddenly a scream the twilight cleft. 

He stood erect and peered into the gloom, 
But what had happened He could only guess 

Till eye confirmed what ear had told his heart — 
His lady-love was there and in distress. 

She and her brother with some friends had been 

Invited to inspect the battleship. 
Where they had spent a pleasant afternoon. 

And were embarking for the homeward trip. 

60 



His Awakening 



In stepping to a waiting motor boat 

She missed her footing and plunged in the gray 

And sh'my waters with a scream of fear 
That wxirdly shot across the murky bay. 

His coat was off, his shoes He also shed, 
And without word or hesitation sprang 

Into the water where She had gone down. 

While cheers and lamentations o'er them rang. 

The men upon the ship watched anxiously 

His bold endeavor that they might have made 

If He had not been all too quick for them 
And plunged before another had essayed. 

Beneath the waves He struggled minutes long 
To grasp the form so very dear to him, 

Till brain and lungs with agony were torn. 
And limbs grew weak and senses 'gan to swim. 

And then by chance in that mud-oozing depth 
He grasped her arm and drew her to his breast; 

And limp upon his shoulder drooped her head, 
As might a child's droop in untroubled rest. 

Then up He shot with scarcely breath to reach 
The surface living — up, and up, it seemed 

Through endless ages — torture all the way — 

And then the ship's lights on his vision gleamed. 
6i 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



The motor boat was waiting near at hand, 

And He struck out with feeble strokes and slow, 

His body numbed from straining in the depths, 
His heart aflame with love's effulgent glow. 

Her brother tore her from his clasping arms, 
And drew her quickly from him to the boat, 

Then turned about and left our hero there 

With scarcely strength to keep himself afloat. 

The cry of "Coward !" rang from overhead, 
But, heeding not, the brother steered away 

And left her savior (as he hoped He might) 
To perish in the shark-infested bay. 



62 



CANTO V 



KIDNAPPED 



The course of life may run without event 
Of magnitude to penetrate beneath 

The superficial shell that holds the man ; 

And then Love comes and rends him in a breath. 

Unheralded, and almost 'gainst his will, 
The door is opened to the inner room 

Where Love abides, and life ere that, it seems, 
Has been a time of groping in the gloom. 

Now all is sunshine, flowers, birds, and song. 
And joy running rife through all the land. 

And things are base that once seemed fair to him 
Beneath the touch of Love's enchanting hand. 

Ere Love has come there is but little else 
Than selfish aims to rouse ambition's fire. 

And these are weeds that keep the soul surpressed, 
And may choke down ennobling desire. 

But when Love comes — the object of that Love 
Is dearer far than self or aught beside; 

And life holds but one single aim — that his 
Fair lady-love's each wish be gratified. 

63 



La Venus de la Habana 



To mount above life's easy ways he strives; 

A smiling face, a touch, a gentle voice, 
Remembered fondly, ever spur him on 

Till he attains the goal that is his choice. 

He knew that He was near the golden goal: 
She loved him — there was proof enough to 
show : 

Her brother, parents, all detested him, 

But why they should they did not really know. 

They had no proofs that He was not a fit 
Companion for her — barring how He came: 

He really was her equal every way. 

And bore an old and much-respected name. 

But all this went for naught, and He must find 
Some way of circumventing what they planned, 

And by some daring move them to accept 
Him as a suitor for their daughter's hand. 

Thus He soliloquised, shut in his room — 

Not much the worse for what HE'd undergone: 

He dressed for going out, as He had planned 
His course of action quite determined on. 

Remembering the brother's card. He took 
It from his pocket — glancing at the name — 

And noticed that the club where they would meet, 
As She had bidden, was of local fame. 

64 



Kidnapped 



It would be entering a hostile camp 
For him to venture there on errand such 

As that to which He had assigned himself; 
And yet He did not worry overmuch. 

The meeting with the brother there, He knew, 
Meant that the craven He must act or be 

Compelled to face, alone, overwhelming odds. 
And hold his own by tact and strategy. 

The craven He had never been nor would 
He now be forced to yield however tried; 

The blood within him burned with daring old, 
Arousing in him his ancestral pride. 

First, He would dine — his appetite was keen — 
An empty stomach doesn't bolster one 

To meet an adversary when by nerve 
You win — by lack of it you are undone. 

He dined, then saw the game of Jai Alai — 
The frantic pleasure of the Cuban crowd. 

And, too, the game, so interested him 

That He o'erstayed the time that HE'd allowed. 

In fact. He stayed till the last ball was cast. 

Regretfully departing from the place. 
He sauntered down a dimly-lighted street, 

A smile of satisfaction on his face. 

65 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



Hfi'd spent a pleasant evening, and besides 
Hfi'd won a lot of money on the game 

That was, He thought, exciting as baseball, 
And had, b}^ far, a more romantic name. 

He turned a corner suddenly and found 
A pistol thrust beneath his very nose; 

He smiled and said, with calmness in his voice: 
"You want my money, homhre, I suppose?" 

And then his arms were pinioned from behind 
And bound together firmly, then his feet. 

And to a carriage He was quickly borne. 

And, at a word, they clattered down the street. 

By winding ways, in silence, they sped on, 
Until they reached the cemetery gate — 

A place that people naturally would shun, 
But there He saw a figure was in wait. 

As they drew near the figure hurried forth. 
And He beheld the brother's gloating face: 

"Now you must fight, you coward!" he exclaimed. 
"You'll find no interference in this place. 

"You'll have no woman's skirts to hide behind, 
You vile deceiver of young innocence; 

Here, in the moonlight, we will have it out. 
And well for you if you have learned to fence. 
66 



Kidnapped 



"I know your kind — heroics are your game — 
You thought you played the hero's part to-day; 

But only for the meddling of fools 

You'd now be meat for sharks in yonder bay.'* 

Thus speaking, wrathfuUy the brother smote 
His captive in the face: "Now choose your aid — 

The tall one there is mine — choose from the three — 
They'll bury you, you need not be afraid." 

"I need no second; if I cared to choose 
I'd take the Devil sooner than I'd trust 

One of this trio; I will stand alone 
And fight you all together, if I must. 

"Now lead the way to that infernal spot 
That you have chosen for your silly play, 

Before I lose my little patience left 

And knock your heads off in the Yankee way." 

Thus spoke our hero without show of fear; 

Though he was doubtful of his coming fate. 
They freed his feet and led him hurriedly 

Into a moonlit space beyond the gate. 

Dark tombs and ghostly monuments uprose 
On every hand in ghoulish silence dread; 

And in the hush, that settled heavily, 

Imagined whisperings went from dead to dead. 

67 



s 



La Venus de la Habana 



Not far away the pit of human bones 

Gleamed ghastly in the moon's uncertain light; 

And one high shaft held throned against the sky, 
A marble angel poised for upward flight. 

On one hand stretched a dark, mysterious depth 
Of tangled tropic growth where seemed to stand 

Vague spectral shapes that melted into air, 
Or congregated in a hideous band. 

And from the dank, dew-heavy foliage. 

The wart-toad's call insistently was heard — 

From a near grave at intervals there came 
The calling, weird, of some nocturnal bird. 

A silence, born of something kin to fear, 

Stilled every tongue and held each muscle tense 

A moment; then one spoke in hollow tones: 
"Time passes — let the dueling commence." 

And as he spoke he drew forth from a case 
Two fencing foils, and tried each gleaming 
blade ; 

Gave one to each contestant with a bow. 
As 'twtrt a part that he had often played. 

With lightning flash the blades together smote. 
The one for blood, the other for defense; 

And each was wielded with a show of skill 
That held the four onlookers in suspense. 
68 



Kidnapped 



Our hero's brain held but a single thought — 
To let no harm come to the brother there: 

Hfi'd pledged himself to her, and He would not 
Belie his word, and so He fought with care. 

He knew that He could run the brother through; 

He also knew defense, alone, would make 
His chances slim for getting off alive; 

But held to promise for his lady's sake. 

He played for time that Chance might intervene, 
For Chance had saved him often in the past; 

But as the time wore on his strength gave way. 
Until it seemed each stroke would be his last. 

And then a shriek, half wail, half cry of pain. 
Came floating o'er the graves from somewhere 
near ; 

And, coming at that time and in that place, 
It filled each heart with momentary fear. 

And ever nearer came the spectral cry. 

And all eyes turned to where the wailing 
seemed, 

And from a shadow stepped a white-robed form. 
That like a phantom in the moonlight gleamed. 

Straight on the figure came with hand upraised 
As if in protest, or to cast a spell, 

And all but He stood with their mouths agape 
In speechless fear that served his purpose well. 

69 



La Venus de la Habana 



The respite served to give him back his strength, 
And, with a bound, his fists flew left and right. 

And four astonished wretches lay at length, 
And, unmolested, quickly He took flight. 

The brother, spent from his exertions, stood 

Half dazed, not comprehending what he saw — 

Expostulating weakly at the flight 

And threatening to go to courts of law. 

And as he railed the phantom figure came ' 

To meet his adversary, at a run, 
Who clasped her close and kissed the upturned lips 

As but a chosen lover would have done. 

And then it dawned upon the brother's mind — 
The white robed figure was his sister, come 

To interfere and save her lover's life — 

The knowledge made him motionless and dumb. 

He stood and watched them disappear behind 
A clump of bushes near the opened gate. 

And then he found the use of limbs and tongue 
And danced about and cursed at fickle fate. 

He kicked his comrades to their feet again. 

Who still were dazed from fisticuffs well dealt. 

And, cursing him and their unlucky stars. 

Each nursed WMth careful touch a stinging welt. 
70 



Kidnapped 



And after talking much they all set out, 
Not over-anxious to take up the chase, 

For they had learned that He was not a fool, 
And one not to be dealt with face to face. 

But meanwhile He and She had passed the gate, 
And, in the only carriage waiting there, 

They clattered off as dawn suffused the sky, 
But destined to as yet they knew not where. 

He held her close in sweet possession's might. 
And only breathed her name and kissed her brow, 

Content to know that She was wholly his — 
That naught could ever separate them now. 

As cityward they passed with slackened speed, 
The sun rose bright above the ocean's crest, 

And day was born — a day that well they knew 
Would put them to the most heart-trying test. 

The first rays, slanting o'er the swelling tide, 
Shone in upon them and they drew apart. 

And eyes met eyes in questioning appeal. 
And trust, implicit, heart gave unto heart. 

Defying e'en her family's right to take 

Her from him, though they intervene by force. 

He must protect her from all threatened harm, 
And time was short for him to choose his course. 

71 



La Venus de la Habana 



He could not take her to her home again, 

Nor would She now have gone had He desired; 

But some place must be found without delay 
That would give her the refuge She required. 

The)^ could not drive thus aimlessly about, 
For day had set the streets athrob with life: 

But one thing now — a voice seemed to speak — 
Seek out a priest and be made man and wife. 

The thought so stirred him that He sprang up- 
right 
And grasped the coachman's arm w^ith nervous 
hand, 
And bade him drive to some iglesia near, 
And be his hire w^hat he might demand. 

The driver waited for no further plea, 
But lashed his steed into a breakneck pace, 

And round a corner wrecklessly he wheeled 
And met the brother's ruffians face to face. 

A shout of exultation from them rose, 

And quickly they were ranged across the street 

To bar the way — the driver did not heed 

And dashing on them swept them from their 
feet; 

Save only one who sprang upon the box 
To pull the driver down, but in a flash 

Our hero smote him squarely in the face 

And sent him sprawling headlong o'er the dash. 

72 



Kidnapped 



And on they flew with none to block their way — 
The goal was near at hand and hope burned 
high; 

But from their rear came clattering hoofs along, 
And then they caught the brother's angry cry. 

She shuddered at the sound and closer drew 
Into the clasp of the encircling arm 

That He flung round her, and She rested there 
With sense of safety from impending harm. 

And then a shot rang out — the driver reeled — 
The reins lay loose — our hero grasped them tight, 

And lashed the lagging horse to better speed, 
That sent pedestrians scurrying left and right. 

But still the brother gained with every breath, 
And with each breath their steed became more 
spent, 

Until at last they labored neck and neck. 
And on and on like charioteers they went. 

"Hold or I fire!" came the warning cry. 
And turning He beheld the weapon aimed 

Straight at his head and felt his time had come; 
But still his fighting spirit was not tamed. 

With one quick pull upon a single rein 

He swerved his horse the other's rush to meet, 

And with a muffled thud beast met with beast 
And, plunging, fell together in the street. 

73 



La Venus de la Habana 



The brother's carriage pinned him to the ground, 
And there unhurt he cursed and wept by turns; 

For Cubans curse and weep with equal ease 
When in their heart the fire of hatred burns. 

And He and She ran quickly down the street 

Into La Plaza Cristo and, behold, 
They stood before the door of Cristo church, 

Whose ancient bell in solemn accents tolled. 

Then silence fell, and from within the sound 
Of solemn chanting floated to their ears 

As Father Jones sang early morning mass, 
As priests had done for many hundred years. 

They bowed their heads and dropped upon their 
knees 

In rev'rence till his voice died away. 
Then rising, hand in hand, they entered in 

Where shadows old in lofty arches lay. 

Hatless and coatless — sleeves rolled back, and shirt 
Torn open at the throat, with stains of strife 

Upon the white. He looked the victim of 
Some ruffian's base attempt upon his life. 

But with it all He held his head erect 
With pride in self — defiance for his foes, 

And yet respect and rev'rence for the church. 
With naught that savored the theatric pose. 

74 



Kidnapped 



Drest in a gown of latest Paris make, 
Half muffled in a hooded cloak of white, 

She seemed the folly of a secret tryst 

That lengthened out beyond the screen of night. 

Her features glowed with pure innocence 
Made bold by love as pure as 'twas deep — 

A spul to dare, a heart to sacrifice 

All things, in honor, her good faith to keep. 

Straight to the altar where his reverence stood 
They made their way, unmindful of the eyes 

Of early worshippers upon them bent — 
Wide staring in their questioning surprise. 

And then the brother, on their track again, 
Rushed blindly up and crowded in between 

The kneehng pair and shouted wild demands 
And made, withal, a most distressing scene. 

"What means this rude intrusion!" cried the 
priest ; 
**Speak thou, my daughter, speak and tell the 
truth ! 
Be silent thou!" — the brother 'gan to rave — 
"Restrain thy anger, thou presumptuous youth!" 

The brother cowed before the angry priest 
And crossed himself a dozen times or more 

To show that he was properly devout 

And mindful of the garb the father wore. 

75 



La Venus de la Habana 



But all the time he glared upon his foe 

With hatred that could scarcely stand restraint, 

Quite certain that the vict'ry would be his 
As soon as he had entered his complaint. 

She raised her head and spoke as She was bade: 
"I rescued him — my lover — who was made 

To fight — unjustly — by my brother here — 
I stopped the duel for I was afraid. 

"HE'd promised me my brother should not meet 
With harm from him, and so He could not fight 

To win, but only in defence, and so — 

They would have killed him dueling in the night. 

"He rescued me from drowning yesterday. 

And that, and loving him, has made me brave 

To stand before you and these people here, 
And to fulfill the promise that I gave. 

"We met in secret — not so from desire. 
But so because my people would withhold 

The privilege of meeting as we should, 
And love, and separation, made us bold. 

"We met at midnight in the garden close. 

And there we learned that love is more than 
life, 

And life without each other could not be; 
And so I promised to become his wife." 

76 



Kidnapped 



"I protest!" cried the youngster angrily; 

"Our parents would not bide this foolish whim!" 
** 'Tis not for you to speak," the priest replied ; 

'We've heard your sister, now we'll hear from 
him." 



**I thank your reverence for the privilege 
Of speaking for myself, and in the name 

Of honor, justice, and the sacred Church, 
I pray thee on this lady lay no blame. 

"She is as pure as the Virgin Saint — 
Her only fault, if fault, is loving me; 

And I love her with all my heart and soul. 
And that you marry us is our one plea." 

"My daughter, do you wish it so?" the priest 
Asked tenderly, as parent might have done. 

"Yes, father, it is my most solemn wish 

That, by the Church, we now be made as one." 

"Then join hands," the reverend father said, 
"And be the witnesses these people here." 

And solemnly the marriage rites went on 
In measured accents, resonant and clear. 

"Whom God hath joined together let no man 
Dare put asunder: now I do proclaim 

Thee man and wife — and may God's blessing rest 
Upon you who now bear a common name." 

77 



La Venus de la Hah ana 



The brother was no longer in the church; 

He disappeared when protest was in vain 
And called his parents on the telephone 

And started mischief working once again. 

With baffled rage they hurried to the church, 
But silence reigned within the ancient pile — 

The wedded pair had left some time before 
And harborward were hurrying the while. 

In hot pursuit the parents and the boy 
Reached the Machina just in time to see 

The bride and groom embark upon his yacht, 
And then remorse swept down upon the three. 

"Come back!" they shouted; "we admit our 
wrong ! 

Come back, oh, daughter, we forgive and take 
You both to heart and love and home and all, 

Atonements and amends we'll gladly make. 

"We did not know — our selfish hearts were cold — 
We want you both — come back, come back, we 
pray!" 

But anchor clanged upon the polished deck, 
And gracefully the yacht sailed from the bay. 

One moment She stretched out appealing arms 
To mother love that called her from the shore, 

Half yielding for the moment to the call; 

And then She turned to him whose name She 
bore. 

78 



Kidnapped 



And there we leave them to their separate ways — 
Sad hearts turned home — glad hearts went out 
to sea, 

With Love, triumphant, stationed at the helm, 
And here I end this tale of "He" and "She." 



THE END 



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